Marlin ISD

The class 4A Midway Panthers, last years Division 2 area finalist. came to Legion Field for the bulldogs home opener. The fans were in for a real barn burner as the 'dawgs hung tough with the bigger Panthers before falling by one point 28-27.

Midway opened the scoring at the 7:54 mark of the first quarter as running back BJ Head took it in from eight yards out. Zack Gregory added the point after to make it 7-0 Panthers.

The Panthers scored again with 9:22 left in the half when QB Brett Stewart hit wide receiver Andrew Heape with a beautiful 52-yard scoring pass. Point after by Gregory was good to make it 14-0.

The Bulldogs would then mount a drive of their own led by a dazzling run by QB Jeremy Modkins of 40 yards to the Panther five. RB Mo Smith then got the call and bulled into the end zone for Marlin's first score. The point after by Brandon Lofton was wide left and the score was 14-6.

The next Panther possession the Bulldog "D" stiffened - led by the play of Courtney Armstead that forced Midway to punt from deep in their own territory.

The bulldog "O" took over at the enemy 40 and began their move. Run, Run, Run as Smith and Derrick Berry took turns in carrying the ball to the Panther eleven. On second down Modkins found his favorite receiver, Desmond Watson in the end zone for a touchdown . The two-point conversion failed and the 'dawgs were right back in it at 14-12 as both teams headed to their locker rooms at the half.

The second half began with a "Big" turnover for the Bulldogs. Nate Anderson recovered a fumble at the Panther 19 and the 'dawgs were barking once again! A few plays later it was QB Modkins scoring on a one yard keeper and with Mo Smith running the ball in on the two point conversion, Marlin had the lead at 20-14!

Midway would come right back. Mixing the run and the pass, QB Stewart scored on a 3rd and one from the one, the point after was good and the Panthers moved back in front 21-20.

What next! Here come the dawgs! It was Modkins who brought the crowd to their feet with a dazzling run covering 60 yards, darting in and around would be tacklers all the way to pay dirt and the 'dawgs moved back into the lead. Lofton's kick was good to make it 27-21 Bulldogs as we headed to the final period.

Back and forth we go as an 11 play drive by the Panthers capped by a 2 yard run by Head for the score put Midway on top once again. Gregory added the point after to make it Panthers 28-27. This is where the scoring would end BUT the 'dawgs would make it interesting all the way till the end.

With Midway working the clock by running the ball, the bulldogs would have to and did make a defensive stand. On a fourth and two at the Marlin seven yard line a Panther pass fell incomplete and the bulldogs took over. Could it be done - 93 yards away, two time outs and under five minutes left in the game. The DRIVE started - pass from Modkins to Watson, good for 11 yards; another pass to Watson good this time for 21 yards. A run by Berry for six yards. And then the BIG run by Modkins as he breaks loose for 26 yards to the Panther 29. Another pass - Modkins to Watson for nine yards to the twenty. Two incomplete passes and no time outs set up a third and ten. Modkins then finds Davison Nutt in the open for a seventeen yard pass to the three. First and goal - Davison was unable to get out of bounds and Modkins is force to spike the ball on first down. Three plays - three yards BUT no time outs. Two passes fall incomplete. It is now fourth and goal. The bulldogs run option right as Modkins pitches to "Mo" who is hit and tackled at the one! Ball goes over - Midway runs out the clock and the victory is theirs. Oh what a game!

For the night - Modkins was 10 of 19 passing for 118 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed eleven times for 147 yards and one touchdown.

Mo Smith rushed 17 times for 74 yards and one touchdown. He also scored on a 2-point conversion and caught two passes for 35 yards.

Roderick Scruggs - 2 carries for 11 yards and Derrick Berry seven carries for 29 yards.

On the receiving end it was Desmond Watson with five catches for 48 yards and one touchdown; Davison Nutt had 2 catches for 25 yards and Derrick Berry one catch for 12 yards.

Total team offense 379 yards to Midway's 306 yards.

Next up the bulldogs take it to the road to face the Mexia Blackcats who post a 2-0 record on the year. Game time 8:00 pm.

See ya at the game!

Marlin ISD
Created August 26, 1997 -- last revision October 1999
Please mail comments or suggestions to tsimpson@marlinisd.org

©1997 Marlin ISD
All Rights Reserved